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VHA Survey Shows Hospitals Are Re-Evaluating Their Disaster Recovery Plans Following Katrina and Rita

Hospitals Focusing on Evacuation Plans, Communications Technology and Emergency Generators

In the wake of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, hospitals are re-evaluating their disaster recovery plans. VHA Inc., the national health care alliance, surveyed member hospitals across the country, and nearly half of those who responded are planning to modify their disaster plans -- changing their evacuation plans, seeking alternative communication systems and preparing for extended periods of self-sufficiency.

More than 350 hospital leaders and managers, ranging from chief executive officers and chief nursing officers to materials managers, pharmacists and emergency department coordinators, responded to the VHA survey. According to respondents, nearly half (48.2 percent) are planning to change their disaster recovery plans. A little more than half (51.3 percent) said they were not planning to make any changes, and 0.3 percent said their hospital did not currently have a disaster recovery plan.

"Katrina showed how fragile yet vital our technology and supply infrastructures are, and how long hospitals may have to operate on their own in times of major disasters," said Curt Nonomaque, president and chief executive officer for VHA Inc. "Many hospitals are taking this time to evaluate their disaster recovery plans to determine whether they are prepared to face similar crises. We've developed a checklist to help hospitals prepare."

Emergency department coordinators are most likely (68 percent) to make changes to their disaster plans. Chief executive officers/presidents and chief nursing officers closely followed, with 53 percent and 52 percent, respectively. Materials managers (33 percent) and pharmacists (21 percent) were least likely to make changes to their recovery plans.

Larger hospitals are more likely to modify their disaster recovery plans. Nearly 60 percent of hospitals with 100,000 adjusted patient days or more said they were reviewing their plans. In contrast, 44 percent of hospitals with less than 50,000 adjusted patient days said they were going to adjust their plans, and one percent of these hospitals said they have not developed a recovery plan. In addition, 46 percent of hospitals with between 50,001 to 100,000 patient days said they were planning to adjust their plans.

The survey also showed that hospitals in certain areas were more likely to re-evaluate their recovery plans. For example, more than three quarters of respondents from the Central Atlantic, New England and West Coast regions (80 percent, 78 percent and 75 percent, respectively) were planning to modify their plans. Respondents from regions in hurricane areas (Southwest (61 percent), Southeast (40 percent), and Gulf States (56 percent)) were in the low to middle range as it relates to re-evaluating their recovery plans. Meanwhile respondents from Michigan (29 percent), Mountain States (34 percent) and Oklahoma (38 percent) were least likely to change their recovery plans.

Some modifications that hospitals are considering making to their disaster recovery plans include:

--  Establishing formal arrangements to receive food via helicopter.
--  Adding a section on how to treat patients when there is no electricity
    or communication devices (telephones).
--  Identifying communications system other than cell phones.
--  Adding a different classification for payer admission to better track
    patients.
--  Exploring alternate evacuation sites that are on higher ground.
--  Implementing a Hospital Emergency Incident Command System (HEICS).
--  Developing a volunteer policy for individuals who want to volunteer
    during disasters.
--  Purchasing more flashlights and installing large rechargeable
    flashlights in the operating and procedure rooms.
    

Historically, when natural disasters strike and impact hospitals, VHA has focused attention on caring for the caregivers themselves. More than 5,000 employees from six VHA hospitals in the Gulf States region had their homes damaged or destroyed by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. VHA, the VHA Health Foundation and VHA members from across the nation have donated more than $2 million to provide cash for VHA hospitals employees affected by the storms. Since 1992, beginning with Hurricane Andrew, VHA has provided support to hospital employees in times of crisis.

Based on member experiences along the Gulf Coast and Florida, VHA also has developed a simple checklist to help hospitals prepare for disasters. Go to www.vha.com to access the list. VHA has also developed a tool kit to help hospitals recover their IT systems when they are damaged or destroyed by disasters or accidents.

About VHA

VHA Inc., based in Irving, Texas, is a national alliance that provides industry-leading supply chain management services and supports the formation of regional and national networks to help members improve their clinical and economic performance. With 18 offices across the U.S., VHA has a track record of proven results in serving more than 2,400 health care organizations nationwide.

Distributed by Market Wire